Training on Outdoor Firefighting system

of the Khulna 225MW CCPP

Firefighting is the act of attempting to prevent the spread of and extinguish significant
unwanted fires in buildings, vehicles, woodlands, etc. A firefighter suppresses fires to protect
lives, property and the environment.

Fire is the rapid oxidation of a material in the exothermic chemical process of combustion,

releasing heat, light, and various reaction products.
The Fire Triangle or Combustion Triangle is a simple model for understanding the necessary
ingredients for most fires.

Figure: Fire Triangle

The Fire Tetrahedron represents the addition of a component in the chemical chain reaction, to
the three already present in the fire triangle. Once a fire has started, the resulting exothermic
chain reaction sustains the fire and allows it to continue until or unless at least one of the
elements of the fire is blocked. 

Figure: Fire Tetrahedron

Fire Types:

Class A: Class A fires are fires in ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, cloth,
rubber, and many plastics.

Class B: Class B fires are fires in flammable liquids such as gasoline, petroleum,

tars, oils, oil-based paints, solvents, alcohols.

Class C: Class C fires include flammable gases such as methane,

propane and butane.

Class D: Class D fires are fires in combustible metals such as magnesium,

titanium, zirconium, sodium, lithium, and potassium.
 Class E: Class E fires are fires involving energized electrical equipment such
as computers, servers, motors, transformers, and appliances. Remove the power and the
Class C fire becomes one of the other classes of fire.

Class F: Class F fires are fires in cooking oils and greases such

as animal and vegetable fats.

Types of Portable Fire Extinguishers:

Foam: Foam fire extinguishers extinguish the fire by separating the oxygen element

from the other elements.

Water: Water fire extinguishers extinguish the fire by taking away the heat element of
the fire triangle.

Carbon Dioxide: Carbon Dioxide fire extinguishers extinguish fire by taking away

the oxygen element of the fire triangle and be removing the heat with a very cold discharge.

Dry Powder: Dry Powder fire extinguishers extinguish the fire primarily by interrupting
the chemical reaction of the fire triangle.

Wet Chemical: Wet Chemical is a new agent that extinguishes the fire by removing the
heat of the fire triangle and prevents re-ignition by creating a barrier between
the oxygen and fuel elements.
How to Use the Fire Extinguisher: We have to use “PASS” method for fire extinguisher.

What is “PASS” method??

Four Steps:

Step One: Pull out the Pin

Step Two: Aim at the base of Fire

NOTE: Do not touch the plastic discharge horn on CO2 extinguishers, it

gets very cold and may damage skin.

Step Three: Squeeze the handle to release the extinguishing agent.

Step Four: Sweep from side to side at the base of the fire until it appears to be
out. Watch the area. If the fire re-ignites, repeat steps 2 - 4.
 Figure: PASS method

When we have to use Portable fire extinguisher:

1. Fire too large to control?

2. Right Size/ Type?

3. Steps to use properly?

Source of Water Supply:

Reservoir water tank for fire fighting System.

Figure: Water Reservoir

Pump Used for maintaining Water Supply for fire fighting system:

1. Jockey Pump: A jockey pump is a small pump connected to a fire sprinkler

system to maintain pressure in the sprinkler pipes. This is to ensure that if a
fire-sprinkler is activated, there will be a pressure drop, which will be sensed
by the fire pumps automatic controller, which will cause the fire pump to
start.
 Figure: Jockey Pump

2. Electric Fire Pump:

Figure: Electric Fire Pump

 3. Diesel Fire Pump:

Figure: Diesel Fire Pump

Fire Hydrants: A fire hydrant is an above-ground connection that provides access to a water
supply for the purpose of fighting fires.

There are two types of pressurized fire hydrants: wet-barrel and dry-barrel.

In a wet-barrel design, the hydrant is connected directly to the pressurized water source. The
upper section, or barrel, of the hydrant is always filled with water.

In a dry-barrel design, the hydrant is separated from the pressurized water source by a main
valve in the lower section of the hydrant below ground and the upper section remains dry.
 Hydrant List

Sl. Location Sl. Location

No. No.

In front of admin building. In front of control room

01 08
building.
In front of gas booster area. Beside raw water tank-2.
02 09
In front of new admin Beside BOP air
03 10
building. compressor.
Beside 1 core foam tank or South side of construction
beside HSD tank-2 area. yard.
04 11

East side of GT auxiliary In front of ST EDG

05 12
transformer. module.
Beside HSD day tank. Beside pre-treatment
chemical dosing room
06 13

Beside LOIL module. Beside ST main

07 14
transformer.
Figure: Fire Hydrant (Fixed) Figure: Fire Hydrant (Movable)

Deluge Valve: Deluge Valves are used in conditions that require for quick application of large
volumes of water and, for that reason, are often integral components in fire protection systems.

Deluge systems deliver large quantities of water, over a large area, in a relatively short period of
time. They are commonly used in fixed fire protection systems whose pipe system is empty until
the deluge valve distributes pressurized water from open nozzles or sprinklers.

Advantages:

1. Entire Transformer is flooded with water, which extinguish fire at earliest as well as
avoid further destruction.
2. Very quick in response.
3. The fire losses is kept low as the area near fire get cooling due to water and so chances
of spreading fire is negligible.
4. Less expensive than other methods

Disadvantages:

1. Longer clean-up time than powder and gas systems

2. Requires a large water reservoir to operation.
Figure: Deluge Valve System

Figure: Deluge Valve for Tank_1

Deluge valve list:

Location Used for Diameter(mm)

One crore litres Sprinkler System DN 250

Tank

Foam System DN 200

Tank (One) Sprinkler System DN 150

Foam System DN 100

Tank (Two) Sprinkler System DN 150

Foam System DN 100

Day Tank Sprinkler System DN 100

Foam System DN 80

Pump House Foam System DN 80

GT Main Sprinkler System DN 150

transformer

GT Auxiliary Sprinkler System DN 80

Transformer

ST Building Sprinkler System DN 150

ST Main Sprinkler System DN 200

Transformer

ST Auxiliary Sprinkler System DN 150

Transformer

HSD Oil purifier Sprinkler System DN 100

 Central Control Sprinkler System DN 80
Room

There are 16 deluge valves available in our plant

Hose Box: Fire hose reel systems consist of pumps, pipes, nozzle, water supply and hose
reels located strategically in a building, ensuring proper coverage of water to combat a fire.

Figure : Fire Hose Box

There are 32 hose boxes in out plant.

Sprinkler System: A fire sprinkler system is an active fire protection method, consisting of a

water supply system, providing adequate pressure and flowrate to a water distribution piping
system, onto which fire sprinklers are connected.
 Figure: Sprinkler System

Figure: Sprinkler System in GT main Transformer

Foam System: Firefighting foam is a foam used for fire suppression. Its role is to cool the fire
and to coat the fuel, preventing its contact with oxygen, resulting in suppression of the
combustion.

There are five types of Foam System:

A. Gas System- FM200: Gas systems are stored as liquid, with nitrogen used to pressurize it.
When released the FM200 chemical agent has a chemical reaction with the fire and
extinguishes it. This type of system is best suited to data rooms, switch rooms or
communication rooms.

Advantages

1. Stored as a liquid so takes up less space.

2. Easy to install because the cylinder is usually in the same room.
3. No reduction of oxygen so it is safe for humans on discharge.

Disadvantages
 1. FM200 does not travel well (because of the pressure) or is rarely cost effective over
inert gases if it is a large room or the gas requires diverting to different areas/rooms. You
need to store the cylinders as close to the application as possible.
2. Some companies are saying it’s a potential future banned gas as it is a hydro fluoride
chloride (HFC) – we have had clients who insist on an inert gas because of this. In fact
Dupont, who manufacture FM200, are actively giving guarantees to replace the gas (less
installation) if the ban becomes active in the next 20 years.

B. Kitchen Fire Suppression – Chemical Foam (Amerex, Ansul etc): This system is specifically
designed for commercial kitchens. Nozzles are placed under the cooker canopies and
will propel a water-based agent with a chemical foam type mix over the risk. The
trigger is usually a heat link or manual pull switch.

Advantages:

1. Easy to use
2. No damage
3. No electronics/electrical work on most systems

Disadvantages:

1. As some kitchens take hours to cool down, the install usually has take place late at
night when the kitchens are not working.
2. Expensive & can take longer to clean up compared to water mist
3. Have to use stainless steel pipe-work and fittings
4. No British Standards to work to

C. Water Mist System: Water mist systems are commonly replacing sprinklers in big data
rooms, other large areas and local applications. These systems can be used for
flammable liquids and electrical rooms, the mist evaporates and causes a starving of
oxygen effect rather than cooling.

Advantages:

1. Agent is cheap or free so it’s not expensive to cover a large area, and it’s also quick
and easy to replace after discharge.
2. No mess and flooding – when compared to chemical kitchen fire suppression and
sprinklers.
3. No large water storage or pump power requirements – when compared to sprinklers
that need large pumps (sometimes with back up) and tank reservoirs.

Disadvantages:
 1. No British Standards apply and there are few manufacturers and distributors.
2. Still not widely recognized as an alternative to sprinkler and gas.

D. Foam Deluge System: Foam deluge systems are mainly suitable for large applications
where you cannot use water or gas. These tend to be external such as transformers, oil
tanks and oil storage silo’s. A simple sprinkler type application disperses a foam
concentrate mixed with the water to provide the typical expanding agent (the same as
with extinguishers).

Advantages:

1. Good for external areas.

2. Covers large areas.
3. Protects flammables liquids – airports, aircraft hangers, oil storage.

Disadvantages:

1. Wet agent so you to need to consider the electrical risk.

2. Messy – clean up required.

E. Pneumatic Heat Detection System: This is essentially an extinguisher with a valve and
a length of heat detection tube that acts as the detection and propellant feed for the
agent. When the temperature reaches a certain level around the pipe it blows a small-
pressurized hole in the pipe, which then propels the agent directly onto the risk. This
suppression system is ideal for boats, vehicles, small machinery, electrical switch
cabinets and fume cupboards.

Advantages
1. Small amount of agent required as it’s assumed it will attack the fire at smouldering
stage
2. Low install and maintenance cost – no moving or electrical parts, no pipe work and
only a small amount of agent required
3. Can install in small intricate areas such as machinery
4. Mobile – can take out and install elsewhere

Disadvantages

1. Cannot guarantee it will work if the fire is large

2. No standards to design/install to
3. Not a high spec solution
4. Difficult to cover large area (high ceilings, rooms)
Fire Safety Do’s and Don’ts:

Do

1. Know your building’s evacuation plan.

2. Evacuate calmly and quickly whenever a fire alarm or carbon monoxide alarm sounds.

3. Keep important items such as medications and medical equipment handy for quick access in
the event of a building evacuation.

4. Know two ways out of any building.

5. Before opening a door, feel it with the back of your hand. If the door is hot, do not open it.

6. Know the outside rally point for your building.

7. In case of a smoke or fire emergency, activate the nearest fire alarm pull station, alert those
around you, and from a safe location call the fire department.

8. Ensure that smoke and carbon monoxide alarms have batteries.

9. Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms regularly.

10. Know the locations of fire extinguishers, fire alarm pull stations, and exits.

11. Learn to use a fire extinguisher.

Don’t
1. Don’t try to extinguish the fire yourself and then call fire department. Call fire department
immediately and push the fire alarm button immediately.

2. Don’t try to be a hero. If the fire is too large EVACUATE!! 

3. Don’t re-enter once you have evacuated.

4. Never break windows in an attempt to give those trapped in a burning building some
fresh air.

5. If your clothes catch fire, try not to run.

6. Never use an elevator during a fire.